Medicaid is central to the health care system’s response to the current public health and economic crises. Millions more people will likely enroll in Medicaid in coming months because of the recession, the large majority of whom would otherwise become uninsured. For example, Urban Institute researchers estimate Medicaid enrollment will increase by 8 to 14 million people (16 to 29 percent) if unemployment climbs to 15 percent, consistent with estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and other forecasters.